Downed trees cause major road closures in Mountain Lakes and Boonton

Danielle Richards / Special to the Star-LedgerNJ Snow storm damage. A downed tree held up by power lines along Green Pond Road in Rockaway.

MORRIS COUNTY — Fallen trees and tree limbs blocked many roads in Mountain Lakes and Boonton in Morris County. Several major arteries, including Boonton Avenue in Boonton and The Boulevard in Mountain Lakes, were closed because of trees and downed wires. Other roads were like slaloms, forcing cars to squeeze around the branches.

“The damage is widespread,” said a Mountain Lakes police officer who would only identify himself as operator 180. “No one is sure how much the Boulevard is closed. The roads are open and closed as we see the need.”

Boonton public works department had multiple crews out Saturday afternoon to assess the danger and open the roads, police said.

Dozens of tree branches littered Grace Lord Park, and power lines were coned off on Essex Avenue.

A giant oak tree crashed on Rockaway Street, teaching down power lines and making the road impassible.

Police said much of Boonton’s power had been turned back on in the early morning, though there were still sections without electricity. Dozens of homes on Rockaway Street were affected.